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All Music Guide:
Seattle-based indie pop trio Tullycraft formed in 1994 from the ashes of Crayon, reuniting singer/bassist Sean Tollefson with drummer Jeff Fell; completing the lineup with ex-Wimp Factor 14 guitarist Gary Miklusek, the group debuted in 1995 with the Harriet label single "True Blue," subsequently notching an underground classic with "Pop Songs Your New Boyfriend Is Too Stupid to Know About," their contribution to Harriet's The Long Secret compilation. Following the Cher Doll 7" "Bailey Park," Tullycraft issued their first full-length effort, Old Traditions, New Standards, in 1996; assorted singles, compilation tracks, and split releases with bands like Bunnygrunt and Rizzo followed prior to the 1998 release of the trio's second album, City of Subarus. After a period in 2001 when it looked like the band were through, Tollefson, Fell, and Chris Munford (who had joined the band in 1998) joined up with guitarist Harold Hollingsworth and hooked up with Magic Marker Records, who released the fine Beat, Surf, Fun album in 2002. After adding longtime collaborator Jenny Mears to the official lineup, the group recorded their best album yet, 2005's Disenchanted Hearts Unite.
Wikipedia:
Tullycraft is an indie pop band from Seattle, Washington who formed in 1995. They have been associated with the genre of twee; in fact, they are considered to be one of the forefathers of the American twee pop movement. They are renowned for their DIY ethic, only releasing albums on independently owned and operated record labels.
History [edit]
Formation & early recordings [edit]
The band's original line-up was Jeff Fell (drums), Sean Tollefson (bass/vocals), and Gary Miklusek (guitar/vocals).
Prior to forming Tullycraft, both Tollefson & Fell played in the band Crayon in Bellingham, Washington and Miklusek played in the band Wimp Factor 14 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They met each other while their respective bands were on tour together.
On February 28, 1995 Tullycraft played their first show at ReBar, a small club in Seattle. Joining them on the bill that evening were the bands Incredible Force of Junior and Sno*boy. Eventually, both Chris Munford (from Incredible Force of Junior) and Harold Hollingsworth (from Sno*boy) would join the group.
In October 1995 the band recorded four songs with producer Pat Maley at Yoyo Studios in Olympia, Washington. The recording session produced a debut single released on Harriet Records and an instant indiepop classic "Pop Songs Your New Boyfriend’s Too Stupid To Know About".
Old Traditions, New Standards [edit]
In 1996 the band released their full length debut, Old Traditions, New Standards on Harriet Records. The album included the singles "Superboy & Supergirl" and "Josie". The following year the band released a series of 7" singles on labels in Japan, England, Germany, and the U.S. They built up a large following by touring extensively all over the United States during what many might argue was the last gasp of the truly independent underground, leaving new bands, promoters, zines and record labels to sprout up in their wake.
City of Subarus [edit]
Chris Munford officially joined Tullycraft in 1998 after a few guest appearances with the group. Munford contributed keyboards, guitar and recording engineer to the band's second full length album, City of Subarus, released on Cher Doll Records that same year. The entire album was recorded in a house that Munford, Miklusek and Fell rented near the University of Washington in Seattle.
The Singles [edit]
Guitarist and founding member, Gary Miklusek decided to leave the group after a U.S. tour for the City of Subarus album. His last appearance with the band was at the San Francisco Popfest in 1999. After the departure of Miklusek, the band's future was unclear. During the break a twenty-two track singles, b-sides and rarities compilation simply titled The Singles was released on Darla Records in late 1999.
Beat Surf Fun [edit]
Following a hiatus that lasted most of 2000, the band started the writing process for what would become their third full length album, Beat Surf Fun. Recording commenced in 2001 at a rehearsal space in Ballard, Washington. Harold Hollingsworth was recruited to take over lead guitar duties. Hollingsworth had played with the band briefly in 1997 on a U.S. tour.
The third album, Beat Surf Fun was released on Magic Marker Records in 2002. The album included the singles "Wild Bikini" and "Twee". In 2003, Tullycraft played shows in England, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands in support of the Beat Surf Fun album.
Disenchanted Hearts Unite [edit]
In 2004, the band began working on what would be their fourth full length album, Disenchanted Hearts Unite. Just prior to the album's release, guitarist Harold Hollingsworth left the band.
On May 3, 2005 Disenchanted Hearts Unite was released on Magic Marker Records. The band re-emerged with a new line-up that included Corianton Hale (lead guitar) and Jenny Mears (vocals). The album was met with a flurry of wonderful reviews and quickly became a fan favorite. Many consider the album to be the band's finest. Although Tullycraft didn't embark on a full U.S. tour to promote Disenchanted Hearts Unite, they did play a number of universities, the occasional pop festival, and the SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas in 2006 and 2007.
Every Scene Needs A Center [edit]
On October 23, 2007 the fifth full length album, Every Scene Needs A Center was released on Magic Marker Records. The band spent over a year working on the album, splitting time between their own recording studio and Soundhouse Studio in Seattle, WA. The album included the singles "The Punks Are Writing Love Songs" and "Georgette Plays A Goth."
Lost in Light Rotation [edit]
After a three year hiatus the band began working on a new album during the summer of 2012. Recording began with Pete Remine at Dubtrain Studio in Seattle. The songs were mixed at Avast Recording Co. with producer Phil Ek. The result was the band’s sixth album, Lost in Light Rotation - the first Tullycraft full-length since 2007's Every Scene Needs a Center.
In January 2013 Fortuna Pop! released a 7” of the title track, Lost in Light Rotation, as the first single from the forthcoming LP.
The album was co-released in April 2013 by Magic Marker Records and Fortuna Pop!
Live [edit]
On May 23, 2009 Tullycraft performed in San Francisco, CA. This was billed as the last show the band would play before taking a break from playing live. They have not performed live since.
Film [edit]
In 2001, Tullycraft was featured alongside Sleater-Kinney, Henry's Dress, Dub Narcotic Sound System, Unwound and The Make-Up in the Justin Mitchell music documentary Songs for Cassavetes.
